On Friday I brewed up some tree beer using Leyland Cypress boughs in the strike and sparge water as well as in the mash vessel. OG was ~1.050 and I split the boil to brew up a saison and a pale ale with galaxy and sultana (denali) hops. The saison is fermenting with a wild yeast culture I captured from my neighbor’s raw honey and the pale ale has Framgarden kveik. They’re both fermenting at 87°F/30.5°C
The Leyland Cypress gives the beer a pleasant evergreen/christmas tree flavor that’s a bit citrusy and not too overwhelming. I’ve brewed with this tree a number of times and thoroughly researched it so I’m fully confident that it is not toxic. I don’t measure the amount of tree I put in the beer, basically just put branches into the kettle until it’s annoying to try to add another one.


Hey, I am just skimming through and see that you are saying that the ponderosa pine is edible, while making beer from the
. These plants are similar looking, but different species completely.
Here are a few more sources that advise that it can be toxic to humans.
https://myplantin.com/plant/6556
https://plantura.garden/uk/trees-shrubs/cypress-trees/cypress-trees-overview
https://www.thespruce.com/leyland-cypress-trees-2132063#toc-common-problems-with-leyland-cypress
Also note that a book on plant toxicology was referenced in the Wikipedia article.
I can’t say whether there would be any effect on you from making a beer from it, but I am concerned that you had said it was fine because the ponderosa pine is edible. I would consult a specialist before drinking any more of this brew.